Marram Grass Research Articles

The Impact of Ammophila arenaria Foredune Development on Downwind Aerodynamics and Parabolic Dune Development

Abstract HART, A.T.; HILTON, M.J.; WAKES, S.J., and DICKINSON, K.J.M., 2012. The impact of Ammophila arenaria foredune development on downwind aerodynamics and parabolic dune development. Ammophila arenaria (marram grass) is highly invasive in temperate, southern hemisphere dune systems. Ammophila arenaria is known to form relatively large, uniform foredunes. However, the impact of A. arenaria invasion on adjacent transgressive dune systems is relatively poorly understood. This study (1) documents foredune and parabolic dune development and A. arenaria invasion at Mason Bay, New Zealand and (2) investigates the impact of A. arenaria foredune development on aerodynamic flow patterns and resultant parabolic dune sedimentary dynamics. Over a period of 40 years, A. arenaria invasion in Mason Bay transformed foredune morphology from an irregular and hummocky morphology to a continuous, densely vegetated foredune complex up to 11 m high. An incipient parabolic dune, initiated from a large blowout, was present p...

Plant-associated nematode communities in West-palearctic coastal foredunes may relate to climate and sediment origins

Plant-associated nematode species are supposed to cause marram grass ( Ammophila arenaria) decline in foredunes. But experiments with inoculated species populations have not proven any nematode effect on plant die out. Considering that nematode community patterns (ecological approach) would be more effective on plant growth than emblematic species (agronomical approach), a large survey in North (Belgium, France, The Netherlands, UK) and South (Portugal) European and in North African (Morocco) foredunes was conducted in order to analyse the diversity of the plant-associated nematode communities. It indicated that diversity (population levels, richness, diversity, evenness, trophic and colonizer/persister groups) does not differ between the communities sampled. But, the nematode community patterns are significantly impacted by climate and soil factors. Root-knot ( Meloidogyne spp.) and lesion ( Pratylenchus spp.) nematodes were more represented in Atlantic than in Mediterranean nematode communities, whereas cyst nematodes ( Heterodera spp.) were more abundant in Northern than in Southern Atlantic nematode communities. Within the French nematode communities, the Atlantic communities strongly differ from the Mediterranean communities. It could be hypothesized that the sediment origin of the foredunes (e.g. Massif Central and Pyrenees for Atlantic sites vs Alps for Mediterranean sites) may be involved, because one Mediterranean site that showed an intermediate pattern is concerned by sediments from Massif Central origin. Knowledge about plant-associated nematode community structures in marram grass foredune ecosystems would help landscape managers for dune stabilization with plants.

Biological Flora of the British Isles: Coincya monensis (L.) Greuter & Burdet ssp. monensis (Rhyncosinapis monensis (L.) Dandy ex A.R. Clapham) and ssp. cheiranthos (Vill.) Aedo, Leadley & Muñoz Garm. (Rhyncosinapis cheiranthos (Vill.) Dandy)

Summary 1. This account presents information on all aspects of the biology of Coincya monensis (L.) Greuter & Burdet that are relevant to understanding its ecological characteristics and behaviour. The main topics are presented within the standard framework of the Biological Flora of the British Isles: distribution, habitat, communities, responses to biotic factors, responses to environment, structure and physiology, phenology, floral and seed characters, herbivores and disease, history and conservation. 2. Coincya monensis is represented in the British flora by two subspecies; ssp. monensis is a diploid, endemic taxon largely confined to open, coastal, sand dune habitats along the west coast of Britain; ssp. cheiranthos is a tetraploid neophyte (alien) of ruderal and coastal habitats. 3. Both subspecies occur as short‐lived perennials in outbreeding, insect‐pollinated populations in open, early successional communities. Individuals may perennate as hemicryptophytes with buds in basal rosettes or as chamaephytes with buds in aerial shoot rosettes, but adequate seed production is essential for the long‐term maintenance of populations. Seed production by the much larger and more floriferous tetraploid alien populations is much greater than that of the native endemic populations. 4. Neither subspecies is able to compete effectively in late successional, grassland communities. Coincya monensis ssp. monensis benefits from moderate disturbance by trampling, which helps to maintain open, sandy, semi‐fixed dune communities, such as those dominated by Marram Grass (Ammophila arenaria). 5. Coincya monensis ssp. monensis has been designated a scarce plant in the British flora and is a priority species in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan. The main threats to its conservation are loss of habitat through natural successional processes and urban development. Coincya monensis ssp. cheiranthos is well‐established in South Wales where it appears to be undergoing a range expansion. At present there are no known mixed populations of the two subspecies but this remains a possibility if the alien subspecies continues to expand its range. Competition and hybridisation between subspecies in mixed populations will present additional problems in the conservation of endemic biodiversity in the British Flora.

Nesting Ecology of Red-Breasted Mergansers in a Common Tern Colony in Eastern New Brunswick

Nest-site selection and nest success for Red-breasted Mergansers (Mergus serrator) breeding on a barrier island complex (Tern Islands) with >10,000 Common Terns (Sterna hirundo) in eastern New Brunswick, Canada, were studied in 2005 and 2006. Concealment was the most important feature for nest placement as 153 of 156 nests were in dense stands of Marram Grass (Ammophila breviligulata), and overhead concealment, vegetation density and vegetation height were all greater at nests than at random locations. Apparent success for all nests was 57% and was similar between years. Few nests were depredated (N = 3), but abandonment was responsible for 95% of nest losses and was most common early in the season. Nest success was <45% for nests initiated before 25 May but >75% for nests initiated after 10 June. Nest abandonment was influenced by intraspecific nest parasitism and investigator activity. Red-breasted Mergansers selected nest sites adaptively on Tern Islands because: 1) nests were more concealed than random sites; 2) avian predation at nests in the Common Tern colony was lower than at nests on nearby islands without terns; 3) nests were not exposed to mammalian predators; and 4) nest success and nest densities were high.

Multiple species-specific controls of root-feeding nematodes in natural soils

One of the major limitations to enhance sustainability of crop production systems is the inability to control root-feeding nematodes without using chemical biocides. In soils under wild vegetation, however, root-feeding nematodes affect plant performance and plant community composition varying from substantially to insignificantly. Previous studies in natural ecosystems have already shown that mutualistic symbionts, such as arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and endophytes, may influence plant exposure to root-feeding nematodes. In order to learn more from natural systems, we examined nematode control in the root zone of a wild coastal foredune grass by microorganisms, other nematodes and microarthropods. We cultured all eight root-feeding nematode species that occur in the root zone of marram grass ( Ammophila arenaria) in coastal foredunes of the Netherlands. Then, in an indoor growth experiment we exposed each nematode species to the potential natural antagonists collected from the same dune soil. Most of the eight dominant root-feeding nematode species could be controlled to some extent by more than one group of soil organisms added. The effectiveness of control varied among nematode species, which seemed to be controlled in a species-specific way. We conclude that in a natural soil the effectiveness of control by microorganisms, other nematodes or microarthropods varies among root-feeding nematode species. Most are controlled, at least to some extent, by soil microbes. However, some root-feeding nematode species are controlled only by microarthropods. Our results strongly suggest that sustainable agriculture will benefit from using a range of biological control mechanisms when controlling root-feeding nematodes, rather than relying on single control agents. Our suggestion also implies that conserving soil biodiversity is crucial in order to enhance the reliability of biological crop protection against soil-borne pests and diseases.

Two distinct AFLP types in three populations of marram grass (Ammophila arenaria) in Wales

The genetic structure of marram grass populations at coastal and inland locations, 200 m apart, was investigated at three sites by means of amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) DNA markers. We expected a genetic differentiation between coastal and inland populations and more genetic variation in the coastal areas as a result of different events of colonization by different plant materials. An assignment test showed that the sampledAmmophila arenariacould be assigned to two groups based on AFLP data. The spatial distribution of the two AFLP types ofA. arenariavaried with sampling location. In two of the three locations, mainly one type (1) was found in the newly formed dunes. This type did also occur further landward, but the second type (2) was preferentially found in inland populations. Genetic diversity was very low and of similar value in both coastal and inland populations. For each site, outlier loci with respect toFSTvalue were identified, which may be indicative of different selection pressures in coastal compared with inland clusters. However, no identical outlier loci were found at all three sites. Possible explanations for the observed difference in distribution of type 1 and 2 populations between coastal and inland sites are discussed.

Genetic Diversity and Differentiation of Ammophila arenaria (L.) Link as Revealed by ISSR Markers

Abstract Ammophila arenaria (L.) Link (marram grass) is the most important sand-fixing plant species along the northwestern European and Mediterranean coast, and it is also planted worldwide for sand dune stabilization. In spite of the intense use of this species in foredune restoration and stabilization programs, little is known about the genetic diversity within and between populations. We analyzed the genetic diversity of seven European populations of A. arenaria using inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSR) markers. The studied populations were selected in Wales, England, Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal, and France. One half of the populations showed similar values of genetic diversity. The lowest values (Nei's index =0.17) were found in the population from the Netherlands, which had been established after a foredune reinforcement project, and in a declining population in the south of Portugal. Statistical and phylo-genetic analyses revealed genetic differences between populations, and northern and so...

Soil microorganisms control plant ectoparasitic nematodes in natural coastal foredunes

Belowground herbivores can exert important controls on the composition of natural plant communities. Until now, relatively few studies have investigated which factors may control the abundance of belowground herbivores. In Dutch coastal foredunes, the root-feeding nematode Tylenchorhynchus ventralis is capable of reducing the performance of the dominant grass Ammophila arenaria (Marram grass). However, field surveys show that populations of this nematode usually are controlled to nondamaging densities, but the control mechanism is unknown. In the present study, we first established that T. ventralis populations are top-down controlled by soil biota. Then, selective removal of soil fauna suggested that soil microorganisms play an important role in controlling T. ventralis. This result was confirmed by an experiment where selective inoculation of microarthropods, nematodes and microbes together with T. ventralis into sterilized dune soil resulted in nematode control when microbes were present. Adding nematodes had some effect, whereas microarthropods did not have a significant effect on T. ventralis. Our results have important implications for the appreciation of herbivore controls in natural soils. Soil food web models assume that herbivorous nematodes are controlled by predaceous invertebrates, whereas many biological control studies focus on managing nematode abundance by soil microorganisms. We propose that soil microorganisms play a more important role than do carnivorous soil invertebrates in the top-down control of herbivorous ectoparasitic nematodes in natural ecosystems. This is opposite to many studies on factors controlling root-feeding insects, which are supposed to be controlled by carnivorous invertebrates, parasitoids, or entomopathogenic nematodes. Our conclusion is that the ectoparasitic nematode T. ventralis is potentially able to limit productivity of the dune grass A. arenaria but that soil organisms, mostly microorganisms, usually prevent the development of growth-reducing population densities.

Interaction between a fungal endophyte and root herbivores of Ammophila arenaria

The effect of an endophytic fungus (Acremonium strictum) on plant-growth related parameters of marram grass (Ammophila arenaria), and its potential as a protective agent against root herbivores (Pratylenchus dunensis and Pratylenchus penetrans, root-lesion nematodes) was investigated in two inoculation experiments under different conditions. Acremonium strictum-inoculated plants showed increased plant development in terms of root biomass in the first experiment and increased number of tillers in the second experiment and biomass was less suppressed by nematodes than the Acremonium strictum-free plants. In neither experiment did Acremonium strictum reduce multiplication of root herbivores. On the contrary, Acremonium strictum-inoculated plants seemed to increase herbivore multiplication. Plants infected with P. penetrans benefitted more from the endophytic fungus than those with P. dunensis in terms of total biomass. The effect of Acremonium strictum on interspecific competition was also analyzed by plant inoculation with both nematode species. In Acremonium strictum-free plants with mixed nematode inoculum, the total number of nematodes, compared to numbers observed in one-species inoculation, was less than expected, suggesting that interspecific competition took place. In Acremonium strictum-inoculated plants no interspecific competition was observed. Plants inoculated with P. dunensis, P. penetrans and Acremonium strictum showed decreased total biomass compared to Acremonium strictum-free plants inoculated with the same nematodes. The implications of increased tillering and root growth of plants with Acremonium endophytes are discussed in relation to the sand stabilizing role of Ammophila arenaria in coastal dunes.

The Impact of Exotic Dune Grass Species on Foredune Development in Australia and New Zealand: a case study of Ammophila arenaria and Thinopyrum junceiforme

Marram grass (Ammophila arenaria) and sea-wheat grass (Thinopyrum junceiforme) have been introduced to Australia and New Zealand. This study examines the morphology of incipient foredunes and established foredunes associated with these species at two sites, Mason Bay in southern New Zealand, and the Younghusband Peninsula in South Australia. Both species invaded the existing foredunes very rapidly. In both cases the antecedent topography comprised relatively sparsely vegetated, irregular foredunes. Invasion resulted in continuous, regular, evenly vegetated foredunes. At Mason Bay a massive foredune has formed since 1958, in conjunction with Ammophila. Thinopyrum has formed an incipient foredune, with a ramp or terrace morphology, along the Younghusband Peninsula, South Australia. In both cases gaps in the former foredune have been closed and the indigenous foredune vegetation has been displaced. Both species may decrease the frequency and severity of blowout development. They are likely to be resilient to aeolian processes of sedimentation compared with dunes formed by indigenous species. Ammophila survives burial, is tolerant of drought and is resistant to erosion associated with storm surge and high waves. Thinopyrum is very tolerant of salinity. These species may adversely affect the long-term development of coastal barriers by inhibiting transgressive dune development.

Duncan Mcintosh’s Island Paradise

Outside his home on the spectacular north shore of Prince Edward Island — with its sunset view to the northwest, gulf horizon due north and marram grass dunes above — Duncan Mcintosh contemplates reinvention. In a burst of light on water, flocks of migratory waterfowl circle Stanhope Bay, lower knee-locked landing gear, spread webbed feet, stretch long necks, then settle perfunctorily on the surface. Amid much flap, squawk and chatter, Canada geese, mallards and blue-winged teal soon settle into spring routines, courting on the surface, up-ending to feed below, their airy, fluid patterns driven by tide, current and wind. Bald eagles, osprey and hawks circle overhead. A red fox bitch parades her four tumbling pups. Four years on, the grace and beauty of PEI’s spring awakening continues to intrigue Duncan. “Who,” he wonders, “choreographs this miraculous ballet?” Interesting question from Mcintosh, a director/producer as comfortable directing the Shaw Festival’s classically trained veterans as choreographing and directing the shiny new singer/dancer/actor cast of the remount of his production of Island impresario Campbell Webster’s new L.M. Montgomery—based hit musical, Anne and Gilbert.

The loss of New Zealand's active dunes and the spread of marram grass (Ammophila arenaria)

Abstract: This article examines the decline of New Zealand's active dunes in relation to the introduction of marram grass (Ammophila arenaria). The area of active dunes in New Zealand declined from 129 000 ha in the early 1900s to about 39 000 ha in 2000; a reduction of 70%. The extent of active dunes has declined since the 1950s in all regions, particularly in Northland, Auckland and the Manawatu. The loss of active dunes on the west coast of the North Island resulted primarily from the introduction of marram grass, followed by the establishment of Pinus radiata plantations and extensive pastoral farming. Between 1985 and 2005 marram grass extended its range to the detriment of the indigenous foredune flora. Conservation and resource management agencies should urgently identify dune systems for conservation management and marram grass eradication.

Accumulation of local pathogens: a new hypothesis to explain exotic plant invasions

Recent studies have concluded that release from native soil pathogens may explain invasion of exotic plant species. However, release from soil enemies does not explain all plant invasions. The invasion of Ammophila arenaria (marram grass or European beach grass) in California provides an illustrative example for which the enemy release hypothesis has been refuted. To explore the possible role of plant–soil community interactions in this invasion, we developed a mathematical model. First, we analyzed the role of plant–soil community interactions in the succession of A. arenaria in its native range (north‐western Europe). Then, we used our model to explore for California how alternative plant–soil community interactions may generate the same effect as if A. arenaria were released from soil enemies. This analysis was carried out by construction of a ‘recovery plane’ that discriminates between plant competition and plant–soil community interactions. Our model shows that in California, the accumulation of local pathogens by A. arenaria could result in exclusion of native plant species. Moreover, this mechanism could trigger the rate and spatial pattern of invasive spread generally observed in nature. We propose that our ‘accumulation of local pathogens’ hypothesis could serve as an alternative explanation for the enemy release hypothesis to be considered in further experimental studies on invasive plant species.

Population dynamics of a host‐specific root‐feeding cyst nematode and resource quantity in the root zone of a clonal grass

Recent studies have suggested that root‐feeding nematodes influence plant community dynamics, but few studies have investigated the population dynamics of the nematodes. In coastal foredunes, feeding‐specialist cyst nematodes (Heterodera spp.) are dominant in the soil nematode community and greenhouse studies pointed at bottom‐up control by their host plant. Here we examine the population dynamics of H. arenaria in the field in relation to resource quantity in the root zone of Ammophila arenaria (marram grass). Ammophila arenaria is a pioneer grass in mobile coastal foredunes of northwestern and Mediterranean Europe. Every year, the plant expands clonally into freshly deposited layers of wind‐blown sand, followed by dispersal and build‐up of the nematode population into the new root zone. In a newly developing root zone the first H. arenaria cysts were observed one month after the first new roots were detected, indicating that nematode dispersal is not limiting the initial establishment of new populations. Throughout the growth season, the numbers of cysts, as well as the numbers of eggs and juveniles within cysts, were related to the quantity of roots. However, cyst density varied between years. Therefore, we conclude that in new root layers of A. arenaria cyst nematodes are bottom‐up controlled by resource quantity, but that other factors, for example resource quality, influence the relation between nematode abundance and resource quantity.In deeper root zones the nematode abundance declines over time. Here, numbers of cysts were not related to root biomass, while numbers of eggs and juveniles inside the cysts were weakly related. This points at other factors than resource quantity, for example the quality of the roots or unsuitable abiotic environmental conditions that have a stronger influence on cyst numbers than resource quantity. We discuss how bottom‐up control of cyst nematodes may indirectly protect the plant against harmful root knot nematodes.

Pathogenicity and host range of Heterodera arenaria in coastal foredunes

AbstractIn coastal foredunes, the cyst nematode Heterodera arenaria has been supposed to play a role in degeneration of the pioneer grass Ammophila arenaria (marram grass). However, recent field surveys and field inoculation experiments suggested that the abundance of this cyst nematode is controlled by the host plant. Here, we test pathogenicity of H. arenaria by inoculating a range of densities of second-stage juveniles (J2) onto A. arenaria in sterilised soil. Plant root biomass was reduced after 6 weeks of growth, but not after 13 weeks, when cyst formation was completed. Shoot biomass was not influenced. In the field, H. arenaria occurred in sand and on roots of Elymus farctus and A. arenaria in mobile dunes, but not on A. arenaria in stable dunes. Although we observed Heterodera cysts and juveniles in later succession stages, this cyst nematode appeared to be H. hordecalis. In a host suitability test, H. arenaria produced cysts on E. farctus and A. arenaria, while there were almost no cysts produced when J2 had been added to the later succession species Festuca rubra ssp. arenaria, Carex arenaria, Elymus athericus and Calamagrostis epigejos. Heterodera arenaria did not negatively affect its natural host plants. However, H. arenaria reduced root growth of one later succession plant species, E. athericus, which was a poor host for H. arenaria. The effects of H. arenaria inoculation on plant biomass production did not differ when J2 were added to plants growing in non-sterilised soil. We conclude that H. arenaria is specialised on the pioneer grasses E. farctus and A. arenaria, and also on mobile dunes as a habitat. Our results confirm recent suggestions that H. arenaria may cause little direct growth reduction to its natural host plants.

Using Computational Fluid Dynamics ToInvestigate The Effect Of A Marram CoveredForedune: Initial Results

New Zealand coastal dune systems have been invaded by Marram grass (Ammophila arenaria) over the last 50 years. This is thought to have had a significant effect on the ecosystem biodiversity and coastal geomorphology. Care needs to be taken if eradication is to be undertaken that the dune systems are not unstabilised and more problems are caused. Marram grass was originally planted as a sandbinder and has created massive foredunes on exposed coasts Cooper [1], Wiedemann and Pickart [2] and Elser [3] that has major implications for the geomorphic development of transgressive dune systems. Little work has been done to study the impact of these foredunes on the development of downwind dunes. Initial work is being undertaken to model the flow over a particular coastal dune system at Mason Bay, Stewart Island, New Zealand with a typical marram covered foredune with a transgressive parabolic dune downwind. Previous work, Hart et al [4], has compared a two-dimensional slice of the topography as of 2003 (marram) and 1958 (pre-marram) numerically to understand the pattern of wind on the foredune and more importantly in the deflation zone. This paper compares Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) modelling of the existing topography with experimental wind measurements. Emphasis will be on the validation of the numerical model data. The protocol needed in taking account of the roughness of the different surface coverings over the surface will be discussed. Validation of two-dimensional transects through the dune complex will inform the resulting three-dimensional model. A protocol for modelling in the future will be ascertained in terms of roughness values to use dependent on vegetation present, mesh size, turbulence model to use and domain size.

Processes of Ammophila arenaria (Marram Grass) Invasion and Indigenous Species Displacement, Stewart Island, New Zealand

The present study (1) describes the rates and patterns of Ammophila arenaria (marram grass) invasion in a large transgressive dune system (Mason Bay) and on a prograding foredune-ridge barrier (Doughboy Bay), Stewart Island, New Zealand; (2) examines the impact of Ammophila on dune morphology and indigenous dune biota; and (3) assesses the significance of geomorphic processes in accounting for the patterns observed. Processes of Ammophila invasion are interpreted from evidence of landform development and vegetation change; field observations and survey of dune landforms and dune vegetation; the aerial photographic record and historic accounts of the local botany. The area dominated by Ammophila in the Mason Bay study area has increased from 1.4 ha in 1958, to 17.8 ha in 1978, to 74.9 ha in 1998; a 5,204 percent increase. Ammophila invasion of active dune systems in the study areas is clearly associated with dune forming processes—shadow dune development; migration of long-walled parabolic dunes; stoss face blowout development; and barrier progradation. The primary mechanism of native species displacement appears to be burial rather than competition for nutrients. Ammophila traps sand and builds dunes at rates that may exceed the threshold of tolerance of local native species. Desmoschoenus spiralis, the dominant indigenous foredune species, cannot co-exist with Ammophila in the active dune systems investigated.

Competition between endoparasitic nematodes and effect on biomass of Ammophila arenaria (marram grass) as affected by timing of inoculation and plant age

AbstractWe studied the effects of intra- and interspecific competition on the abundance of endoparasitic nematodes and assessed the consequences for biomass production of the natural dune grass Ammophila arenaria. Pratylenchus penetrans was limited by intraspecific competition and it suppressed the abundance of Heterodera arenaria, whilst the interaction between H. arenaria and Meloidogyne maritima was neutral. Pratylenchus penetrans and H. arenaria reduced plant biomass, whereas M. maritima did not. Plant biomass was not differently affected by adding one or two nematode species. When added to older plants, numbers of H. arenaria and M. maritima were higher but numbers of P. penetrans were lower, resulting in less reduction of plant biomass. We discuss our results on this natural system with respect to patterns of interspecific nematode competition observed in agricultural systems.

Sand Dune Restoration in North Brittany, France: A 10‐Year Monitoring Study

Abstract Dunes, which account for 13% of the Ille et Vilaine north Brittany coast, France, were degraded by high tourist pressure, and they were restored from 1988 onward. Ten years after commencing work an assessment of the restoration was made on three dunes: Les Chevrets, L'Anse Du Guesclin, and Le Verger. Annual monitoring of the vegetation and dune morphology provided an opportunity to study the restoration process. The dune front, which is similar to a reference pioneer dune, lies in front of the mobile dune. The highest part of the dune is an advanced stage of mobile dune. The restoration of the fixed rear dune was accomplished neither in terms of vegetation composition nor in terms of species richness. The vegetation parameter study allows differentiation between the dune front, the dune summit, and the rear dune. The variation in species richness and floristic composition from one zone to another can be explained by abiotic factors such as salinity and the accretion of sand. The restoration was satisfactory in terms of the geomorphology. Marram grass is a good tool for restoring the topography, but it will take a very long time to restore the conservation value of the dune.

La conservation des dunes littorales implique-t-elle leur stabilisation ? L'exemple de la côte atlantique

In Atlantic Europe, coastal dune systems are generally mature. Landform maturity does not, however, mean geomorphological inactivity along the shore zone as well as further inland. Since the beginning of the nineteenth century and even earlier, marram grass and pine planting was aimed to stabilize dunes, therefore protecting human settlements from invasive sand and providing timber crops. Bare or partially vegetated sand still is often perceived in a managerial sense as adverse because it is linked directly to erosion which carries a negative connotation. This perception is false since moving sand is not only normal, but essencial since it contributes to achieve geomorphological and ecological equilibrium. In addition, active dunes display scenic landscapes which are of high patrimonial value. The management of coastal dunes needs to take into account their processes of natural evolution. It should be designed to work with change and have dynamic conservation and not static preservation at its core.